1/1/2022 - A Messege for New Years

PNG radio for today's culture and timeless truths come together, it's reasonable relevant content apologetics worldview and answers to the questions that you need to know from Alex McFarland evangelistic ministries welcome to truth for a new generation radio and now the man who preached in states in 50 days speaker, writer, and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarland, you have a heart that is established what is that mean to have an established part hi Alex McFarland here just a moment to look at the New Testament book of James a little bit but welcome you to this last addition of truth for new generation for the year 2021 we are recording in 2021 and this will air several times in the first week of 2022. But I want to pull out a couple of words from the book of James chapter 5 and contrast a nourished heart, as in indulged versus an established heart that is a heart yielded to the Lord Jesus Christ and his priorities no later in the show.

I want to talk about what it looks like to have an established heart, but I want to begin as we close out 20, 21, and we look toward 2022. What God wants to do in and through all of our lives in the new year. I want to challenge you to make 2022 a year that you formally stand for God and his truth you walk, you grow in the Lord and let Lucius that you gain ground for not only your own personal walk, but for the kingdom of God. In general, and you can do that and I want you to think now as 2022 begins. Think about what you want your life to look like a year from now should good Lord willing, we have another day, another month, another year I were you want to be here for now because very often, as has been said we purchase our tomorrows today and yes the improvements the. The progress is that you hope to make you pray for you aspire to. They can happen. They really, really can and the time to prepare for victory.

Tomorrow is before the Lord humbly today will get to James five and talk about that in just a moment, but want to share a story that I think is just very very inspiring. Do you know the name AZ Taylor Morton. She wasn't blind or deaf, but when she was growing up in rural Texas. She went to the Texas blind, deaf and orphan school because that was the only school in her area that would admit and teach African-Americans.

So she went to school and she graduated at age 16, from high school and she went to college and she progressed, and ultimately, under Pres. Jimmy Carter. She became the treasurer of the United States, and she held that position for four years with honor, but she spoke some years ago in South Carolina at a college and the governor of the state can introduce her and it's very interesting.

She began her speech with these words.

I was born to a mother who was deaf and could not speak.

I did not know who her father was or is but the first job I ever had was in a cotton field and she said I stand before you today as the treasurer of the United States of America, AZ Taylor Morton now listen to this because what a perfect word for the closing of an old year. The beginning of a new year. This woman who achieve great things.

It was quite certainly and overcome her. She said nothing has to remain the way it is. If that's not the way a person wants it to be.

It isn't Luckett's circumstances and it isn't being born a certain way that causes a person's future to become what it becomes all a person has to do to change the situation that brings unhappiness or dissatisfaction is to answer the question, how do I want this situation to become then the person must commit totally to personal actions that will carry them there that that is profound because I meet so many people and they groused about situations and they lament the past and they obsess about, you know this one wrong turn, that they may have taken 20 years ago and they feel like and they tell themselves that they're irrevocably on this wrong trajectory, and there's no hope.

Even when we lament about situations in our country and to be sure our nation United States of America needs the Lord and we need awakening and we need the church to be revived and believe me, culturally, economically, spiritually, governmentally, ethically, there are many things academically many things that our nation needs. But I agree with AZ Taylor Morton. That's the way to change the situation is to say, what do I want to see happen and then commit yourself to do the things that will change the situation well now, none of us can with the flip of our hand radically change the country but utterly what we can do. We can pray and we begin to change the world by changing ourselves and we at this moment and it might be one of the most significant moments of your life that you're even hearing this radio broadcast right now because the you that you want to become and the changes that you deepen your soul. No need to take place. They begin with amending your lives in light of God's revelation and God's truth in a Mark Twain one time he said keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that.

But the really great people make you feel that you too can become great said Mark Twain not in the book of James.

The word of God has a lot to say about patients and it talks about waiting on the Lord and seeking God for the latter rain. The former rain. We thank him for the latter rain. We anticipate and then it says establish your heart and working to talk about what it means to have an established heart, but I would say more than ever, more than ever. This is the time for us to take stock of our life and understand that all of life really is stewardship, our time, our bodies are intellect our mind what we think how we communicate our vocabulary.

Our influence and yes you have influence.

You do all of these things belong to the Lord and we will give an account of what we do with our lives. It's been said that who we are is God's gift to us. But what we become is our gift back God and so when we come back were going to talk about what it means to have an established heart yielded to the Lord, not a pampered indulgent heart that's fallen into the flesh, and will make it a great year and God has great blessings for you in the decision to live life in your future. God's way is a decision you can make right half-day radio. You know Alex is writing for many years, and one of his classic forces still great. Today is a basic introduction to the Christian faith.

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Hi Alex McFarland here from the nationally syndicated radio program exploring for more than 10 years, Michael Harper and I have taught Scripture and answered hundreds of vital questions. We've compiled a brand-new book of the top 100 Bible questions from listeners of all ages from questions about supposing Bible contradictions to apologetics facts that prove the truth of Scripture.

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One Bible questions and answers published by Broad Street publishers and available at your local bookstores and also through resources.AFA.net for apologetics, resources, books by Alex McFarland and to find out where Alex is speaking to visit Alex McFarland.com welcome back to check for a new generation Alex McFarland here. You know in the book of James chapter 5, it ends and it says stop, listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. I love the way the old King James renders that and it says come now or go to now. In other words, listen, listen to this use. Those of you who are rich and weep for the minute miseries that are coming on you. Your wealth is rotted, and moths have eaten your close it says and it goes on and it talks about very interesting says your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire frightening words of condemnation. You have hoarded wealth in the last days, and what it literally means the wording of it indicates that your indulgence in your sand and your greed and your materialism. All these things that you've spent your life accumulating are actually just tallying up the judgments against you, that you will face before God one day and it talks about defrauding workers in the cries of harvesters have reached the ears of Almighty God will come back to that in just a moment, but in James 55 and following it goes on and it says that we are to be James 57 patient brothers and sisters into the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the former and latter rains in some translations said the autumn rains in the spring rains. My friend Dr. Michael Brown born again Jewish scholar hundreds of international trips.

He talks about that Jewish people would've really known what it meant. The former rain and the latter rain because the former rains were heavier rains.

The latter rains were lighter rains. James 57 and that we would patiently or the farmers would patiently wait for both and and it goes on and it says you to be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

Now I want to talk about this in relation to entering this new year.

Okay James chapter 5 it talks about the rich, the greedy, the godless, the fallen, those who live for sin and they don't turn to the Lord and they have hoarded up things in this life. Just ultimately that will be judgment against themselves, and they've even oppressed the week and taken advantage exploited people do not know that the Lord knows all this and he is in control now as we enter a new year. I mean this is good to remind ourselves of that God is in control, God will reward his children, God will preserve his followers, and there is reward for the righteous in God also will judge those that are unrighteous. We know this, and we even though the journey down here can be hard and very often we suffer. That's why James 58. Very interesting. Says be patient and stand firm.

Now the contrast between James 53 in James 581 of the condemnations of the godless those that reject the truth it says in James 53. You have nourished your heart that James five it says establish your heart.

Now both words in the original language of the word cardio from which we get the words like cardiac you know Cardia is a Greek word referencing heart. But in this case is talking about the real you. Your soul the things that you believe in the. The morals and the convictions that you have an you've trusted Christ and you have a regenerated soul everlasting life. But the heart the spirits the so the real you.

Now the condemnation of those who have nourished their hearts.

It really means indulge fattened their hearts. In other words, the flesh was in control in the flesh was what we fed more and more carnal, but in contrast to that James 58.

The established heart is a heart first of all that's been made alive through faith in Jesus, born again, cleansed and then matured and grounded on the truths of God's word as a Christian I hope you've trusted the Lord. But even as a believer have you daily fed your heart's established a love how the old King James renders it establish your heart and what does it mean well, it's interesting. It means fixed. It means stable. It means focused. It means strengthened. In other words, it's like a construction term. Imagine you're putting a pillar in the ground, or some post that's part of the foundation of something or how is that thing established well the establishment of something is determined by the foundation on which it rests very often. If you watch people working in the mid-they've got an auger and they dig a hole in the ground, but they'll drop into the bottom of of the whole. One or more rocks that way when the post is dropped into the hole. It's not just on wet shifting ground. But even though they dug a hole at the bottom of that hole. The foundation underneath it all is a rock while the foundation stone of your life must be Jesus. If you want to be stable and established so on. What do you stand on Christ. Remember, Paul wrote that no other foundation can a man lay or build upon this Jesus Christ listen you might be a church member but that is not an established foundation as good as church membership. This maybe you consider yourself a moral person, industrious, successful, prosperous you worked hard.

You've made money wonderful but the basis of your life. The core foundation must be your relationship with Jesus Christ. And if 2022 is going to shape up to be just another year like all the rest.

It's time to change foundations, so the number one question for the established charters. Do you know Jesus Christ then secondly, not only what is the foundation on which you stand. But what are the supports that you've built around yourself that the supports for the Christian would be the following and I would say in this order. The indwelling guiding Holy Spirit, then the nurturing, strengthening, directing, word of God and in prayer by which you commune with the Lord each and every day. So when we come back were going to talk more about the established heart the fruitful life and the life that will make every day of 2022 count because you know the Lord doing well by his spirit, your following his word communing with him daily stated. We'll talk more about this when truth for a new generation and radio America today is like a patient struggling to live yet is being forcibly euthanized by her quote doctors. The life force within the patient fighting for survival is the honest citizens like yourself team of quote caregivers are the local and national leaders actually contributing to the demise of the patient. The economy is crashing crime is exploding.

The Constitution is being abolished the assault on America how to defend our nation before it's too late by Alex Farland has one single purpose to get you prepared the real source of America's current problems that no one else is talking about and what you can do now to face tomorrow. Regardless of what tomorrow brings. The assault on America how to defend our nation before it's too late. Available now at Amazon or Barnes & Noble and local Christian bookstore are you tired of liberal agendas ruining our country but you don't know what to do about it. That's why truth and liberty coalition was founded. We want to equip you to take back our country and impact the world. Here's how we do it educate broadcasts conferences in our website resources that form equip and motivate reunified by collaborating with like-minded organizations like the family research Council, the family policy and life mobilize by providing practical tools you can use to impact your local community as Christians we are called to make disciples of together can change the course of our country for good joint truth and liberty to connect with believers in organizations not only want to see change in our nation but a community that is actually doing something about it.

Join us online for our broadcast describe the relevant updates on our website. Truth and liberty.net in the midst of a culture obsessed with relativism.

Alex McFarland is a voice you can trust to speak the timeless truths of Christianity in a timely way. You're listening to the truth for a new generation radio. Welcome back, Alex McFarland.

Tears were wrapping up this third segment of the program.

I want to thank you for listening and looking into 2022.

I am so deeply grateful for all that pray for truth for new generation ministries. You pray for me as an evangelist. We just launched our website a brand-new redesigned Alex McFarland.com. Everything is been updated.

My calendar is on there on my goodness, in the month of January. I've got speaking all of the country, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, and so many places that I'm speaking and then we've got a major conference that will be August in Oklahoma City, but somewhat sooner than that really make you aware of a couple of dates that I really ask you to pray for and participate in July, eight, nine and 10 albeit the Cove, the Billy Graham training center in western North Carolina doing first Peter now because it always fills up. It's just amazing. The website is the Cove Seo VE.org and if you put my name in the you will find that in the summer of 20, 22 were doing the book of first Peter and I want to encourage you come to the Cove. I'll be there and you will be there will be joining with people from all over North America to get into the word of God to fellowship to be inspired by the Billy Graham Center there and all that God did through the life of Dr. and Mrs. Graham. And then there their kids and grandkids the Billy Graham ministry is so inspiring. But we will pray together will fellowship together will get into first Peter will learn how to defend our faith.

That's July 8-10 at the Cove, then listen carefully July 17-22. Our annual summer youth camp biblical worldview. Listen, here's our theme unashamed building your biblical worldview with us will be. Will and Mickey Addison. It's going to be great.

We got music were going to be a camp about one hour east of Raleigh, North Carolina skull, the refuge, the refuge is wonderful. There's a beautiful beautiful brand-new swimming pool in the be horseback riding and archery and just so many things fishing all of the great things we do it camp, but especially will be teaching the middle school and high schoolers that the young people in your life if you will bring them or send them will be teaching them to defend the Christian faith.

To love God and country. Listen it. It grieves my heart when I hear so many young people that go away to college, they fall away from the faith. We're going to be teaching these young people who attend what it means to be a Christian. What it means to be a disciple so the camp is July 17-22. You can find out more information@alexmcfarland.com or you can Google and see refuge as in North Carolina refuge. It's going to be amazing. Let's talk about this talk about you in 2022. James says establish your heart, look, we don't we don't need to fret over the past we don't need to obsess about the past. We don't need to be fearful and paranoid about the future. The reality is Almighty God lives within you for the break. We talked about and established heart is one that is on the foundation of relationship with Jesus Christ and then the Holy Spirit that indwells you you were allowing the Holy Spirit have control. Know your emotions don't have to control you. But I will say this, here's the thing. The key to controlling your emotions is first controlling your thoughts and how do you do that by continually reshaping your thoughts in conformity with the word of God. That's Philippians 48. That's Romans 12 to and so when your thoughts are right. Your emotions will follow.

It's not the other way around thoughts and behaviors are often shaped negatively by emotions, but really behaviors don't necessarily change emotions. You've got to believe the right things and you you do that by letting the Holy Spirit guide you reading the word of God. That's the Lord speaking to you prayer that you speaking to God and you've got to and I challenge all of us. If you're doing these things wonderful maximize on them. Continue if you need to do these things. And again, as a Christian we don't own anything we are and even our time is not our own. So maybe now is the time that you can make the decision maybe right now is the time that you can make the decision that you're going to begin to be a better steward of your time out of your thoughts and you going to make an impact for Christ and you can and you must remember the old the obit of verse was by men and Everett Hale. I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything that I can do something and I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.

You and I can't save the whole wide world, but we can tell the world about one who is the Savior Jesus Christ.

We we got problems.

I know we did, but we've got opportunities all around us and I want to challenge you to have this can-do spirit because you are victorious as a Christian you are a victor.

The truth is on our side.

Remember second Peter 116 through 21.

We have not followed cleverly devised fables. This is reality and so believe what is true believe the positive you've probably heard of the US Marine Corps Gen. Luis Puller DU LL ER he was note Louis B Puller. He was called Chesty Puller during the Korean War. He once said of the enemies he said they are in front of us. They are behind us.

We are flanked on both sides by an enemy that outnumbers us 29 to 1.

They can't get away from us now so was looking at positive not thinking oh my goodness were doomed, but we can't help but prevail. And that's how it is my dear friend, 20, 20 was hard, 20, 21, was hard but I will tell you Jesus Christ is on his throne. The Bible is still his word Christ is risen, he is Lord we are his children. Our names are, in his book and our destiny.

John 1028 is in his hand. We have read every reason to be encouraged enthusiastic positive rejoicing. And yes, mindful of our daily stewardship responsibilities as Christians. Let's make it a great new year. As we live for Christ and his commission truth for new generation. Alex look for in ministries. We are here to encourage you in that regard. May God bless you and may God bless America. In this new year.

TNG radio is made possible by the friend of Alex McFarland evangelistic ministry, PO Box 10231, Greensboro, NC 27404. That's PO Box 10231, Greensboro, NC 27404 call us at 877 yes God one that's 877 yes, God, and the number one.

Forgive online@alexmcfarland.com while you're there, listen to program archives. Read Alex's blog invite Alex to speak at your event or contact Alex with a question or comment, Alex McFarland.com. Thanks for listening today and join us again next time. For more truth for a new generation on TNG radio